About Tuscany

Tuscany, the cradle of modern European culture, contains treasures of every age and style, from the Etruscan Theatre and Roman Baths at Fiesole, to the majestic Gothic buildings in the medieval town of Siena, to the exceptional art and architecture of Florence. The cities of Tuscany have produced writers, scientists, architects, musicians and artists whose works have literally changed the world.

The immense dome of Florence’s Duomo, designed by Brunelleschi, inspired Michelangelo’s design for the dome of St. Peter’s in Rome, and influenced architecture in towns throughout Italy.

Modern science and technology have their roots in the experiments of Galileo and other researchers. Puccini was born in Lucca. Dante, Petrarch and Boccaccio broke with traditional Latin and wrote in the Italian language, establishing the Tuscan dialect as Italy’s literary language, whilst things Tuscan became the measure of culture and refinement.

The peaceful Tuscan landscape is primarily rolling hills, with vineyards, olive groves, cypress trees and hilltop villages all bathed in a soft, amber light. To many it seems familiar, and rightly so: during the Renaissance it was often used as the backdrop for the paintings of the masters. The rustic Tuscan farmhouse, made of local stone and set atop a hill flanked by lines of cypress trees, is a sight unique to Tuscany. Silent medieval hilltowns, with their fortified castle walls and church steeples visible in the distance, are a part of the landscape.

Tuscany’s olive groves yield some of Italy’s finest extra virgin olive oil, but the heart of the region is in its vineyards. Visitors can often visit the “Fattorie” (wine estates) to taste, sample and purchase their wines.

Tuscany also offers a cosmopolitan holiday experience, with sophisticated nightlife in Florence and Pisa and at the beach resorts along the coast north and south of Pisa.

Florence and Pisa are also a shopper paradise, with designer factory outlets offering Gucci, Versace and other designer labels at 30-50% below UK prices. Golf, horseriding, tennis, sailing, fishing, hiking, cycling, and hunting are all readily available, and can be enjoyed in the idyllic, timeless, charm that is Tuscany.

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